The 49ers’ Gray is expected to miss the season opener with a sprained shoulder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
danny gray He is expected to be out of action for the 2023 NFL season opener after the second-year wide receiver suffered a sprained shoulder Saturday night.
“We were concerned that it wasa broken claviclewhich is usually eight weeks,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday afternoon on a conference call with Bay Area reporters.
“But it’s still a pretty bad injury. It’s not a break, which is good. But it’s similar to what [safety] Jorge Odum is trying. It’s still not great news, but it’s better than a break.”
Shanahan said the report he received from the team’s medical staff is that Gray is not expected to be ready for the season opener on September 10 against the pittsburgh steelers due to a sprain of the sternoclavicular (SC) joint.
Gray suffered the injury on the 49ers’ kickoff. 21-20 preseason win about him Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium. He took the kick at the 6-yard line and ducked to the right sideline, where Denver’s Ja’Quan McMillian tackled him after a 23-yard return.
Gray landed hard on his right side. He was clearly uncomfortable standing on the 49ers sideline.
Gray sat out the first preseason tournament against the las vegas raiders due to hip pain.
The 49ers selected Gray in the third round (No. 105) of the 2022 NFL Draft. He posted one of the fastest times in the NFL Scouting Combine at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Gray appeared in 13 games as a rookie. He only had one catch for 10 yards on a total of seven targets during the regular season. Grey saw limited action in each of the 49ers’ three playoff games.
The 49ers’ top three wide receiver spots are solidified with deebo samuel, brandon ayuk and John Jennings. There’s a lot of competition for two or three more receiving spots.
Veteran receiver and returner Ray-Ray McCloud could miss some time early in the season after undergoing surgery Aug. 11 to repair a fractured left wrist.
Rookie ronnie bell seems to be the favorite to serve as backup receiver and returner. Bell caught seven passes for 114 yards on Saturday night. He also had a punt return for 28 yards.